Had a local Ford dealership install a set of Bilstein 4600’s on my 2wd F150. They had difficulty compressing the stock springs, having to take them to a different shop. Anyone else have problems with the stock springs?

 

They are definitely difficult to compress. I used an impact on my spring compressor tool which is a no-no, but it got the job done. A decent shop should have the press style machine that makes the job easy.

 

I've done them multiple times with basic spring compressors. They are a lame excuse for a ford dealer.

 

I’ve had no issue compressing the spring on either of my F150’s over the years when installing Bilstein 5100’s. Even at the 1.76” lift pre load. Heavy duty spring compressors and full send with an impact gun lol.

 

When He told me they were having trouble, I told him it didn’t make sense. Motorcraft makes replacement struts that reuses the stock springs and parts. I don’t think they do anything but quick struts these days.

 

Their tool was probably in poor shape. You have to liberally coat the threads with anti-seize and keep them coated, or you can gall them compressing a single set of truck springs. I've seen compression kits get destroyed in a single day by a couple of bros doing spring swaps on two cars.